The Regency Acts are laws that control the process of establishing a regency when the British monarch is no longer able to perform their duties. It was updated in 1937 in case the then Princess Elizabeth had to take over her father’s throne when she was still a minor.

The laws could be used to allow Prince Charles to take over from his mother’s official duties and take a load off the ageing monarch.

This would involve Her Majesty signing over part or all of her powers to her firstborn child.

There are rumours that the Queen has started to prepare Prince Charles for the role that lies before him, with her handing over major duties.

"The changes are starting, and although they are small changes, more will follow," a royal insider told the Daily Star in April.

"Her Majesty will never resign, though. She will be on the throne to her last breath."